Why Inclusivity in Sexual Education?

Sexuality is a complex and essential part of the human social experience. It influences our physical, mental, and social spheres, creating pleasure, trauma, and everything in between. Our innate need for social connection can lead to both healing and division, depending on how we approach it.

Throughout history, humans have sought to create division and draw lines between groups. These lines often establish systems that confer power to some groups while oppressing others. Inclusivity in sexual education is crucial because it acknowledges the harm caused by systemic oppression based on various dimensions of diversity, including but not limited to race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, and religion.

By promoting inclusivity, we can help ensure that everyone has access to accurate and unbiased information about sexuality, regardless of their background or identity. This can lead to more positive experiences, a more profound sense of community, and the reduction of harm caused by limited understanding, prejudice, and discrimination.

Our Commitment

At Health Connected, we recognize our place within a specific history and a set of systems – human history, American history, California history, and health, education, and corporate systems. Our commitment is to engage in transformative solidarity practices that heal the oppression created by these histories and systems. Here are some key areas we are currently focused on: 

• Curriculum: We align our course content with national sexuality standards incorporating social justice approaches to sex education. Our curriculum integrates information and activities at all levels on identity articulation and intersectionality, embracing diverse gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultural perspectives. By addressing these dimensions of diversity, we ensure that our curriculum is inclusive and relevant to all individuals.
• Employee Support and Engagement: We create an inclusive and supportive environment for our employees, valuing their diverse perspectives and experiences. We provide resources for professional learning opportunities that center the histories and experiences of marginalized communities across various dimensions of diversity. Through these initiatives, we cultivate a workforce that is knowledgeable, sensitive, and responsive to the needs of all individuals and communities we serve.
• Evaluation and Accountability: We believe in the importance of ongoing evaluation to measure the impact of our programs. We collect feedback from educators, students, and medical professionals to continuously assess our progress and make necessary adjustments. This commitment to evaluation and accountability ensures that we remain responsive to the evolving sexual health needs of the communities we serve.
• Content Accessibility: We are committed to ensuring that our sexual education materials and resources are accessible to individuals with different learning abilities, ensuring inclusivity and equitable access. We strive to provide materials that are adapted to diverse learning needs, including but not limited to visual aids, simplified language, and other accommodations. Through these efforts, we ensure that individuals with disabilities can fully participate in and benefit from our comprehensive sexual education programs.

As we continue to learn and grow, we will assess our progress and adjust our efforts accordingly. Our ultimate goal is to remain curious, committed to learning, and continuously strive for collective liberation. By fostering inclusivity, addressing multiple dimensions of diversity, and promoting equitable access to sexual education, we aim to create a more equitable and empowered future for all individuals and communities.